Williams allegedly swore allegiance to the Islamic State group in Iraq on Facebook and gave $250 to undercover FBI agents pretending to buy weapons. Williams also allegedly owned an AK-47 assault rifle and wanted to commit a local "martyrdom operation" before his December arrest.

Williams' public defenders told the judge that he could live with his uncle. Members of his mosque were also prepared to vouch for him.

Federal public defender Keith Kimball argued that Williams was "entrapped" by the FBI.